Seems like spring this year has been a dotted line. The very good news though has been that the high country has gotten much more snow and now the snowpack in the mountains is about 107% of the average and we had a few days of good, much-needed precipitation in the valley too.
You’ve had a mid spring snowstorm, I see. Is that the mighty Columbia before all the states downriver start taking pieces of it for irrigation, or am I confusing it with another river?
This is one of the main forks of the Columbia and here it is about 500 miles from the Pacific and around 200 miles from its source. Little water is taken from it up to this point.
Here, Spring is a complicated process which includes these late snows and cold snaps interspersed with warm days. Later this week we should see temperatures in the 60’s and with a little sunshine, the flowers will all start to come out. It will be into May this year before we can do much planting in the gardens.
I’m glad the photos give you that feeling! For over 20 years I had to live away from Montana to make a living. I usually did vacation here with my folks and always looked forward to returning and dreaded having to leave again.
I think this year spring will be somewhat of a dotted line until it becomes summer. The plants are confused, more by the rather dry conditions we have had.
It was a very pretty morning, and the snow near the river was all gone by night. On top of those mountains in the distance though, it is still deep in winter.
It reminds me of the wonderful line from T.S. Eliot – “Midwinter spring is its own season…” Indeed, it is. And I can taste that water. Looking at the photo actually made me thirsty – there’s nothing better than a drink of cold, pure water. It’s very “tastelessness” is refreshing.
I like the idea of “midwinter spring”, and it is indeed its own season. I suppose the water in the river here is drinkable, although I avoid drinking it. There are numerous streams that enter it along its way though that are very pure. I asked one of the local doctors about drinking from some of the area streams and he told me they are fine to drink as long as you get upstream a ways from “civilization”. I prefer water from a cold high mountain spring and there are many around. Also some of the tiny high country lakes. In the roadless area there is hardly anything to taint the water sources. And as you mentioned, it is “tasteless”. And cold!
Hmm, doesn’t look like spring. But then, neither did your earlier post about the sudden snow and the tree across the road.
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Comment by knightofswords — April 22, 2013 @ 12:14 pm
Amazing weather. Tonight, only small patches of that snow still remain.
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2013 @ 8:24 pm
Spectacular! The white and the blue really set each other off. Beautiful photo!
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — April 22, 2013 @ 12:19 pm
Thanks Anneli. Yes, there were nice contrasts in the morning light.
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2013 @ 8:26 pm
That’s gorgeous…looks cold!!
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Comment by staceysdawn — April 22, 2013 @ 12:51 pm
Yes, we’ve had several nights now with record-setting low temperatures.
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2013 @ 8:28 pm
Brrrrrrr………..
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Comment by roberta — April 22, 2013 @ 5:55 pm
18ยบ this morning.
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2013 @ 8:28 pm
Beautiful blue skies of Montana…
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Comment by Roberta — April 22, 2013 @ 6:14 pm
When the sky clears here, it really does get blue!
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2013 @ 8:29 pm
So pretty, Terry…and such blue skies this morning after the snow…..
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Comment by seekraz — April 22, 2013 @ 8:36 pm
The rain and snow of the past few days cleared the air. I love mornings like that!
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2013 @ 9:20 pm
They are wonderful…pristine…..
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Comment by seekraz — April 23, 2013 @ 6:28 am
Glorious! Except that it doesn’t at all look like you are getting spring….
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Comment by kateri — April 22, 2013 @ 8:40 pm
Seems like spring this year has been a dotted line. The very good news though has been that the high country has gotten much more snow and now the snowpack in the mountains is about 107% of the average and we had a few days of good, much-needed precipitation in the valley too.
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2013 @ 9:22 pm
You’ve had a mid spring snowstorm, I see. Is that the mighty Columbia before all the states downriver start taking pieces of it for irrigation, or am I confusing it with another river?
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Comment by New Hampshire Gardener — April 23, 2013 @ 4:16 am
This is one of the main forks of the Columbia and here it is about 500 miles from the Pacific and around 200 miles from its source. Little water is taken from it up to this point.
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Comment by montucky — April 23, 2013 @ 9:00 pm
What a vista…. Still looks a bit chilly, heh. ๐
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Comment by FeyGirl — April 23, 2013 @ 7:55 am
The temperature was still in the teens when the photo was taken.
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Comment by montucky — April 23, 2013 @ 9:01 pm
I love seeing the different seasons in your photos. I wonder when Spring will properly have sprung, there?
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Comment by Val — April 23, 2013 @ 3:29 pm
Here, Spring is a complicated process which includes these late snows and cold snaps interspersed with warm days. Later this week we should see temperatures in the 60’s and with a little sunshine, the flowers will all start to come out. It will be into May this year before we can do much planting in the gardens.
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Comment by montucky — April 23, 2013 @ 9:04 pm
I look forward to the opportunity to visit Montana again. However with your photos I feel as if I am there.
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Comment by Grampy — April 23, 2013 @ 6:44 pm
I’m glad the photos give you that feeling! For over 20 years I had to live away from Montana to make a living. I usually did vacation here with my folks and always looked forward to returning and dreaded having to leave again.
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Comment by montucky — April 23, 2013 @ 9:06 pm
Those blue skies and clear, cold water. Beautiful photo!
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Comment by Candace — April 23, 2013 @ 11:10 pm
Thanks Candace. I love that river!
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Comment by montucky — April 24, 2013 @ 10:38 pm
That’s a stunning image. I wouldn’t mind waking up to see that, even though it looks decidedly un-springlike!
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Comment by Jo Woolf — April 24, 2013 @ 1:01 am
I visit there often. The scene changes from season to season.
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Comment by montucky — April 24, 2013 @ 10:38 pm
Lovely image! Snow can add so much beauty to a scenery.
I see spring is not quite here yet for you also.
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Comment by Fergiemoto — April 25, 2013 @ 2:18 pm
I think this year spring will be somewhat of a dotted line until it becomes summer. The plants are confused, more by the rather dry conditions we have had.
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Comment by montucky — April 25, 2013 @ 9:47 pm
spring snow, so beautiful!
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Comment by Tammie — April 25, 2013 @ 4:22 pm
This one was really pretty. Heavy and wet and the snowflakes were just huge as it came down.
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Comment by montucky — April 25, 2013 @ 9:47 pm
Absolutely beautiful scenery!
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Comment by Watching Seasons — April 25, 2013 @ 8:16 pm
That’s a pretty spot and only a half mile from my house. I walk down there often.
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Comment by montucky — April 25, 2013 @ 9:49 pm
My eyes rested when seeing this photo. Contrast against white is amazing; white is white, blue is blue and the rest brown / black – ideal photo.
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Comment by Sartenada — April 25, 2013 @ 11:28 pm
Thanks Matti. The light was just right, with the rising sun behind me.
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Comment by montucky — April 26, 2013 @ 8:46 pm
What a beautiful scene to start the day!
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Comment by kcjewel — April 26, 2013 @ 8:48 pm
It was, and a complete change from the day before.
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Comment by montucky — April 26, 2013 @ 8:50 pm
Beautiful picture! Dave, from Hawaii..
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Comment by Dave Quitt — April 26, 2013 @ 9:04 pm
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the comment. I just sent you an email.
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Comment by montucky — April 26, 2013 @ 9:28 pm
What a gorgeous late winter/early spring image. A little too much snow for this time of year…but it makes for real beauty!
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Comment by Marcie — April 27, 2013 @ 6:12 am
It was a very pretty morning, and the snow near the river was all gone by night. On top of those mountains in the distance though, it is still deep in winter.
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Comment by montucky — April 27, 2013 @ 9:12 pm
It reminds me of the wonderful line from T.S. Eliot – “Midwinter spring is its own season…” Indeed, it is. And I can taste that water. Looking at the photo actually made me thirsty – there’s nothing better than a drink of cold, pure water. It’s very “tastelessness” is refreshing.
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Comment by shoreacres — April 27, 2013 @ 8:29 pm
I like the idea of “midwinter spring”, and it is indeed its own season. I suppose the water in the river here is drinkable, although I avoid drinking it. There are numerous streams that enter it along its way though that are very pure. I asked one of the local doctors about drinking from some of the area streams and he told me they are fine to drink as long as you get upstream a ways from “civilization”. I prefer water from a cold high mountain spring and there are many around. Also some of the tiny high country lakes. In the roadless area there is hardly anything to taint the water sources. And as you mentioned, it is “tasteless”. And cold!
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Comment by montucky — April 27, 2013 @ 9:34 pm
really pretty. I’ll stick w/ the warmer climate though!!
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Comment by skouba — April 27, 2013 @ 9:49 pm
Thought you might! That snow is gone and today hit 69ยบ
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Comment by montucky — April 27, 2013 @ 10:58 pm
Beee u teee ful! =)
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Comment by Tricia — April 27, 2013 @ 10:47 pm
Thanks Tricia. That’s the way I want to remember winter.
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Comment by montucky — April 27, 2013 @ 10:59 pm
I am always amazed at how beautiful Montana is….the state that I have never visited!
What I have missed!
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Comment by Mary Strong-Spaid — April 30, 2013 @ 8:48 pm
Yes, there’s a lot of natural beauty here and Montana is a big place. I hope you will have the chance to visit some time!
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Comment by montucky — April 30, 2013 @ 11:05 pm
Stunning photo. Makes the river and snow really come alive.
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Comment by victoriaaphotography — May 18, 2013 @ 4:34 am
Thanks. The spot from which I took that photo is underwater today from snowmelt. It’s a wonderful river.
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Comment by montucky — May 18, 2013 @ 9:48 pm